2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Enoch Root]

That is awesome and perfect, Bingo - please keep it going!

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I have been reading up on Morozov and Shilov a lot.
I think having a small Russian line modeled on the old production lines of DRW is a good strategy in the back to more bipolar world we currently live in. Gridin with some strong russian talent manning a line has a lot of appeal to me.

There are some forwards who will surely be higher up the rankings by season's end than where they are currently, and those two are prime candidates.

[mile]

Draft Diary update from Lawrence:
https://www.nhl.com/news/2026-nhl-dr...vember-14-2025

The last time you heard from me, I was rehabbing an injury I sustained during the preseason, and well, I still am. It can be tricky coming back from an injury.

I actually played two games a few weeks ago and came back feeling good. Through practice on the ice and off-ice training, I felt stronger and better during those two games. I had a little setback in practice that week, though, so we are taking a cautious approach with it to make sure there is no long-term effect. Coming back for the games after being out for so long was a little challenging. Other teams and players are in midseason form, but I feel like I did well in those two games, especially since they were my first back. They weren't perfect, but you look back on them and try to learn from them and build off them for the rest of the year.

I am working out and rehabbing every day, focusing on a couple of hours just on my foot. I'm working out with the team, just staying around and being involved with the guys, so it's been pretty good so far.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Yup, he came back for two games, and has now missed a few more.

What’s the nature of Lawrence’s injury?

[Niemo]

If Tynan Lawrence is our consolation prize, I'm happy.

[cral12]

Finally got out latest rankings posted - the Top 32 featured in the article with a link to the full Top 224 within, with a few ways to peruse. Please enjoy:

Upside Hockey's Fall Edition 2026 NHL Draft Rankings
Our Top 224 ranked prospects for this NHL Draft class

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

What’s the nature of Lawrence’s injury?

Not exactly sure- lower body injury from training camp.

[FleeceGang]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

What’s the nature of Lawrence’s injury?

"I am working out and rehabbing every day, focusing on a couple of hours just on my foot. I'm working out with the team, just staying around and being involved with the guys, so it's been pretty good so far."

Form the final quote of the interview posted above. Foot injury, if he is working out on it then it probably isn't broken and is a soft tissue thing. Either a sprain or a torn/pulled muscle. #PureSpeculation

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by FleeceGang

"I am working out and rehabbing every day, focusing on a couple of hours just on my foot. I'm working out with the team, just staying around and being involved with the guys, so it's been pretty good so far."

Form the final quote of the interview posted above. Foot injury, if he is working out on it then it probably isn't broken and is a soft tissue thing. Either a sprain or a torn/pulled muscle. #PureSpeculation

Thanks for this. I guess it would help if I actually READ something....

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Thanks for this. I guess it would help if I actually READ something....

We all have that happen from time to time. The amount of reading, watching video, and combing through stats that you do to report on the draft is fearfully impressive. You're bound to drop a stitch now and then.

Your draft reports are one of the three best things on this site, in my opinion, along with Sureloss's breaking news and Gaskal's ATL reports. Salute!

EDIT TO ADD: Cheese's GDTs are amazing too. Sometimes I find the sheer amount of information in them a bit overwhelming, which is why I neglected to list that as one of the best things. But it definitely is.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

We all have that happen from time to time. The amount of reading, watching video, and combing through stats that you do to report on the draft is fearfully impressive. You're bound to drop a stitch now and then.

Your draft reports are one of the three best things on this site, in my opinion, along with Sureloss's breaking news and Gaskal's ATL reports. Salute!

Wow, I wasn't expecting that- Thanks a bunch, Jay!

[NewFan]

It would be fun if the draft order is determined in the mid-season or at 60th game. Then teams will compete for higher draft in the beginning of the season then after draft order date they can play to qualify to playoffs. And trade deadline will be fun when all teams know their draft orders.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I had a couple of long flights this week so used it as a chance to catch up on some draft content.
It seems to me that:
- The growing concerns about McKenna are legit. This is not the usual contrived effort to drum up some sort of debate about the #1 pick. I think his lack of effort, particularly off puck, is a growing red flag particularly when paired with the fact his offensive production has been a little disappointing. I also think a growing part of this story is the stakes for Penn State. If this guy, who has been the consensus #1 for a number of years, for whom this draft has long been considered "The Mckenna" draft does NOT go #1, it represents a major failure for Penn State and could impact recruitment. There are a lot of reasons why they need to do everything possible to make sure he holds on to #1. And with all that said, I think I still take him first, because the dynamic skill is just so unique. I think you hope you can address the other issues
- To me it's more clear than every that the Flames must draft in the top 4. McKenna is still my top choice but the next 3 are all compelling. Stenberg is producing at amazing level as a teen in the SHL. I think he's a top line winger in the NHL and a guy you can build around. Lawrence just hasn't played much but no one seems worried because he is so complete with no flaws. He may not be a top point producing #1 center in the NHL, but there is something compelling about running him and Reschney down the middle as a great all around 1-2 punch long-term. And then you have Verhoeff who is just the total package on the blueline and if you draft him, you are probably set up really well on the D for a decade.

Those are my 4. I would be thrilled with any of them. I probably lean forward based on what else the Flames have, but I think if you get any of those 4, you are adding a huge foundational piece.

[Vinny01]

I think the top 5 is solid. Belchetz is having an amazing start and would be a huge fan favorite here.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I had a couple of long flights this week so used it as a chance to catch up on some draft content.
It seems to me that:
- The growing concerns about McKenna are legit. This is not the usual contrived effort to drum up some sort of debate about the #1 pick. I think his lack of effort, particularly off puck, is a growing red flag particularly when paired with the fact his offensive production has been a little disappointing. I also think a growing part of this story is the stakes for Penn State. If this guy, who has been the consensus #1 for a number of years, for whom this draft has long been considered "The Mckenna" draft does NOT go #1, it represents a major failure for Penn State and could impact recruitment. There are a lot of reasons why they need to do everything possible to make sure he holds on to #1. And with all that said, I think I still take him first, because the dynamic skill is just so unique. I think you hope you can address the other issues
- To me it's more clear than every that the Flames must draft in the top 4. McKenna is still my top choice but the next 3 are all compelling. Stenberg is producing at amazing level as a teen in the SHL. I think he's a top line winger in the NHL and a guy you can build around. Lawrence just hasn't played much but no one seems worried because he is so complete with no flaws. He may not be a top product #1 center in the NHL, but there is something compelling about running him and Reschney down the middle as a great all around 1-2 punch long-term. And then you have Verhoeff who is just the total package on the blueline and if you draft him, you are probably set up really well on the D for a decade.

Those are my 4. I would be thrilled with any of them. I probably lean forward based on what else the Flames have, but I think if you get any of those 4, you are adding a huge foundational piece.

Curious to see what McKenna does at the World Juniors. For the last 3 World Juniors the number one pick (all on Team Canada) was also the best player on the world junior team. Does that trend continue this year. I think real questions will come up if at the World Juniors if Martone, Hage, Reschny and possibly others are the best forwards on the team. Should be able to dominate that tournament as a future number one draft pick.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Curious to see what McKenna does at the World Juniors. For the last 3 World Juniors the number one pick (all on Team Canada) was also the best player on the world junior team. Does that trend continue this year. I think real questions will come up if at the World Juniors if Martone, Hage, Reschny and possibly others are the best forwards on the team. Should be able to dominate that tournament as a future number one draft pick.

I think he has to have a great tournament. Not just a good one. A great one.
Otherwise the talk of him not going #1 is going to grow. Particularly if Stenberg outplays him.

[Enoch Root]

Yes, IMO, the WJC are the defining moment of the season for him. He basically needs to be the top scorer in the tournament. If he isn't dominant, then the discussion will escalate exponentially.

But I expect he will. And unless/until he doesn't, he's still the clear #1

[Ba'alzamon]

Lawrence did look a bit off in the game I watched (he still scored though lol). But I'm not totally surprised it was a premature return.

speaking of centers returning from injury, Alessandro Di Iorio is back for the Sarnia Sting. I watched them lose 9-3 to Ottawa last night, but he stood out (despite only picking up a couple secondary assists on the PP). He's real fast and real strong. It honestly seemed like he had no help at all at even strength. Whenever he had the puck he he got swarmed and just had no one to pass to.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Ba'alzamon

Lawrence did look a bit off in the game I watched (he still scored though lol). But I'm not totally surprised it was a premature return.

speaking of centers returning from injury, Alessandro Di Iorio is back for the Sarnia Sting. I watched them lose 9-3 to Ottawa last night, but he stood out (despite only picking up a couple secondary assists on the PP). He's real fast and real strong. It honestly seemed like he had no help at all at even strength. Whenever he had the puck he he got swarmed and just had no one to pass to.

Hard to tell whether he does not have much support or whether Sarnia was just up against the 2nd best team in the league. Sarnia is not great but I was at the game today against Niagara and the 67’s beat the wheels off Roobroeck and Niagara 6-2. Roobroeck was not noticeable in anyway beyond just watching him because he is supposed to be a top pick. But the 67’s are a very good team.

Ottawa has 4 guys that I think will be drafted this year

Fetterolf the goalie who is probably the best goalie in the league. Hard to tell with goalies but I suspect he is one of the first 2-3 goalies drafted this year.

Varndenberg who is a pretty good center, skates well and has decent size, who is injured right now. He will be one of the youngest players drafted this year, should go in the first 100 players drafted I suspect.

Ruml a smooth skating Czech dman. Starting to find his game after a bit of a slow start.

Amidovski, almost a PPG winger who has pretty good vision.

Tough to evaluate players on the other team though because usually the 67’s are the much better team on the ice this year. But I suspect all 4 of those guys get drafted this year.

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Hard to tell whether he does not have much support or whether Sarnia was just up against the 2nd best team in the league.

I mean yeah, sure. It was just really consistent how Ottawa was always able to isolate Di Iorio and I couldn't tell whether it was because his linemates were useless or because he's kind of dumb (or just Ottawa being that good, obviously).

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Sarnia is not great but I was at the game today against Niagara and the 67’s beat the wheels off Roobroeck and Niagara 6-2. Roobroeck was not noticeable in anyway beyond just watching him because he is supposed to be a top pick. But the 67’s are a very good team.

That's been me every time I've watched Niagra. I keep waiting for Roobroeck to do something that backs up the hype and he just never does. He isn't even their best LW, Kevin He is much more impressive.

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Fetterolf the goalie who is probably the best goalie in the league. Hard to tell with goalies but I suspect he is one of the first 2-3 goalies drafted this year.

I actually had no idea Fetterolf was draft eligible lol. He's incredible, I kind of assumed he was an overager tbh.